UPDATE – TARMAC IS NOT COOL ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE CLOSURE SO IT WILL NEED TO REMAIN IN PLACE OVERNIGHT.
Regards
Street Works Team
Highways and Transport Team
Wokingham Borough Council
Tel: 0118 974 6000
Sign up for text and email alerts for emergency and planned highway works at http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/community-and-safety/emergencies/borough-alert/
“Consultation of the re-opening of libraries”
In advance of the Government allowing libraries to re-open, Wokingham Borough Council we would like to understand residents thoughts on what services are most important to access, and what concerns there are about being able to access the services safely. WBC have created a short consultation questionnaire for your views:
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
LOCATION: Mortimer Road, Swallowfield
DESCRIPTION: Structural Maintenance
CLOSURE DATES: 17/6/20-19/6/20 (08:00-18:00)
Dear Sir/Madam,
Please be aware that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority gives notice under Section 14 (2) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 that no vehicle shall proceed along:
Mortimer Road, Grazeley between its junctions with Lambwood Hill and Bloomfieldhatch Lane.
The alternative route for all traffic affected by the restriction shall be by proceeding via Bloomfieldhatch Lane, Mereoak Lane, Great Lea, Hartley Court Road, Kybes Lane, Pingewood Road South, Anners Farm Road, Burghfield Road, Reading Road, Victoria Road, The Street, Cross Lane, Bloomfieldhatch Lane and Lambwood Hill or by this route in reverse.
Works requiring this restriction will take place between 17th June and 19th June 2020 between 08:00 and 18:00.
The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Wokingham Borough Council contractors to undertake structural maintenance work in safety.
Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.
The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed.
The dates of these restrictions may be subject to change.
We apologise for any inconvenience that these restrictions may cause.
Regards,
Street Works Team
Highways and Transport Team
Wokingham Borough Council
Tel: 0118 974 6000
Notification of extended working hours this Saturday (6th June)
We would like to take this opportunity to notify you that we intend to work until 1800hrs this Saturday (6th June). This is to allow us to carry out the new kerbing and ducting infrastructure works for the new roundabout at Bridge Farm on the A327 Reading Road, marked by the red line on location plan below.
Normal working hours on a Saturday are 0800hrs – 1300hrs.
Whilst this is an exceptional situation and we acknowledge this is short notice, we wish to thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation.
Any questions you may have or if we can assist please feel free, as ever, to e-mail us at arborfieldcross@balfourbeatty.com or telephone 0800 121 4444.
If you live in Spencers Wood, Three Mile Cross and Grazeley please look out for an important communication coming from West Berkshire Council about the emergency planning zone around AWE Burghfield within West Berkshire Council’s boundary.
Although there has been no change in activities at AWE Burghfield, legislation has required a review of the emergency planning for this site and, as a result of the review, the emergency plan for the facility must now cover a larger area.
This extended area – known as the Detailed Emergency Planning Zone (DEPZ) – now covers some homes and businesses in Spencers Wood, Three Mile Cross and Grazeley not previously included.
West Berkshire is responsible for this emergency plan (in collaboration with partners) and for notifying residents about it, including those living in the Wokingham Borough. This is why it is sending an information booklet to all households and businesses.
“This is an odd situation because there’s been no change in the actual risk of an incident at AWE Burghfield – that remains incredibly low – nor has there been any change in what AWE Burghfield does,” said Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure.
“But there now has to be an emergency plan in place for a bigger area meaning some of our residents are in this DEPZ for the first time.
“It’s West Berkshire’s responsibility to produce the plan and, most importantly, to make sure all residents living in the DEPZ know about it and have the information they need to understand there’s been no change in the risk. But, given the way Covid-19 is overwhelming lives at the moment, we want to make doubly sure our residents receive and are aware of this important message.
“So, if you live in the new zone, please keep an eye out for West Berkshire’s booklet and please be assured this is only a change in the emergency planning for what remains an extremely unlikely event.”
Full details on the DEPZ can be found on West Berkshire’s website at: https://info.westberks.gov.uk/awe or see the news release and leaflet on AWE’s site at: https://www.awe.co.uk/2020/03/awe-burghfield-depz-extended-under-new-reppir-19-legislation/
– ENDS –
Further information:
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL
(PUBLIC FOOTPATH 11 SHINFIELD (PART))
(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF PEDESTRIANS) ORDER 2020
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on 9th April 2020 the Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which shall prohibit all traffic from proceeding along that part of Public Footpath 11 Shinfield between its junctions with Deardon Way and Teal Grove.
The alternative route for all affected by the restrictions shall be by proceeding via Teal Grove Skylark Way and Church Lane or by this route reversed.
The closure is necessary because of the likelihood of danger to the public as a consequence of works being carried out on or near the said footpath.
The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into force on 20th April 2020 and shall continue for a period of 6 months or until completion of the works whichever is the earlier.
Dated: 9th April 2020
Sarah Hollamby
Director Customer and Localities
Wokingham Borough Council,
PO Box 151,
Shute End,
Wokingham,
Berkshire RG40 1WH
WOKINGHAM BOROUGH STEPS UP TO HELP THE COMMUNITY IN THIS TIME OF NEED
They say emergencies bring the best out in people. And the people of Wokingham borough are really showing
their mettle.
The Wokingham Borough Community Response (WBCR) is a one-stop shop if you need help during this crisis and
don’t have friends, family or trusted neighbours who can help.
The help provided can come in the form of food and other essential supplies, medication pick-ups, a friendly chat
for the lonely, as well as the more typical help that Citizens Advice has always provided to those in need such as
for benefits, housing, and employment advice. It doesn’t matter why you need us, we are here for you.
How to access support:
Contact Citizens Advice Wokingham by ringing 0300 330 1189 (if prompted enter 0118 978 7258), emailing
admin@citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk, or visiting their website at
www.citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk/coronavirus
A volunteer will make a quick assessment of what help is
needed and make the appropriate referrals.
Once you’ve contacted us, you will automatically be registered for ongoing support — this is the start of an
ongoing relationship, not just a one-off. The only exception to this is with referrals to the foodbank, which require
a new call into Citizens Advice Wokingham.
Food, toiletries and cleaning supplies
First Days are delivering three types of parcels: (1) fresh food, (2) store cupboard food, and (3) toiletries and
cleaning supplies.
Prescriptions
Wokingham Volunteer Centre are able to pick up and deliver prescriptions.
Link Visiting Scheme has volunteers who will ring residents who are socially isolated or lonely for a friendly chat,
generally two or three times a week, but sometimes every day. Usually it is elderly people using this service, but
loneliness has no age criteria, especially during a crisis.
Other help
Citizens Advice Wokingham can provide advice on things such as benefits, housing and employment. The
Wokingham Food Bank is delivering food parcels to those in financial need.
If you are running low on food or need help collecting your prescription, please don’t leave it until the last minute.
Flagging up your needs a little in advance gives the volunteer system a chance to process.
Who is doing what
Citizens Advice Wokingham are the “front door” for people across the borough to access support from local
charities working with the council to provide the Wokingham Borough Community Response. First Days are
running the food distribution hub at St Crispins Leisure Centre; Wokingham Volunteer Centre are providing
volunteers to pick up and deliver prescriptions; Link Visiting Scheme are providing friendly chats for those who are
lonely; Involve Community Services are supporting local neighbourhood support groups in their Covid-19
response; Age UK Berkshire are supporting people to get home from hospital; and the Wokingham Food Bank is
providing food parcels to those in financial need.
Wokingham Borough Council is organising the umbrella effort that is the community response, as well as
providing council staff to the voluntary organisations as and when they need additional support. The council adult
social care and children’s services teams are also providing support to vulnerable, isolated and shielding residents.
Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1BN
Tel: (0118) 974 6000 Email: CEM@wokingham.gov.uk
Local Plan Update from WBC regarding the allocation of the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) that was to be used for GGV is now allocated to the north of the county
“Following Prime Minister’s announcement on strict restrictions on movement and non-essential gatherings, re3 has taken the decision to close the Recycling Centres in Bracknell and Reading. This decision has not been taken lightly, but we must now all play our part, stay home to save lives and protect the vulnerable, elderly and the NHS.
re3 will work with its Contractor to redeploy staff and maintain effective receipt of waste from collection services and operate as efficiently as possible.
We will review this decision after the initial three-week period, taking into account the Government advice at the time. During this time, we are asking residents to maximise the kerbside collections and hold-on to any inert waste they may have. We are grateful to all residents for their understanding.”
OPT IN FOR GARDEN WASTE RENEWALS NOW
Green fingered residents will be keen to know garden waste opt in applications for 2020-21 are now
open. The annual fee for a 240-litre brown wheeled bins will remain at £60 to ensure garden waste can
still be collected easily.
There are already 20,000 households across Wokingham borough subscribed to the service, which takes
away garden clippings, grass cuttings, leaves and weeds fortnightly from the kerbside. Making use of the
service means residents are able to have 6,240 litres of green material collected from the kerbside each
year – more than one large skip.
The materials are then sent to Oxfordshire to a composting facility, creating re3grow compost, which is
made available to residents via Re3’s household waste recycling centres in the spring and summer
months. Last year 10,863 tonnes of green material were collected at the kerbside and recycling centres.
The garden waste is then turned into compost and is available to buy at £3.50 per 40-litre bag, the cost
of producing it, so residents can use it in their gardens and help to grow new plants. This is an example
of the council making the most of a circular economy, collecting something from residents and turning it
into a useful resource.
This year residents who are already signed up for the garden waste collection service will receive a letter
asking them to opt in and pay online for use of a bin from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. These are
being sent out this week.
Invoices will no longer be issued to residents to charge them for the service. Payment can be made
online via www.wokingham.gov.uk/ordergardenwastecollection, by calling 0118 974 6000 and selecting
the “waste” option or in person at the council’s Shute End offices, or if you are a library member, you
can also get help and online access by visiting one of our libraries.
– MORE –
Date: 4 March 2020 Issued by: Connor McLoughlin
Issue No: 46/20 Version: 1.0
Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1BN Tel: (0118) 974 6000 Email: CEM@wokingham.gov.uk
Those who already have a brown wheeled bin and are renewing will receive a purple sticker to attach to
the bin. If residents are signing up for the first time, their bin will be delivered with a purple sticker
attached. Visit www.wokingham.gov.uk (search ‘garden waste’) to check collection days.
“It’s great to see we have so many keen gardeners and growers in our borough, with more than 20,000
people taking advantage of our garden waste collections last year,” said Cllr Michael Firmager, deputy
executive member for environment and leisure. “I hope those numbers only continue to grow,
particularly with all the materials collected being used in the circular economy to create compost and go
back into our residents gardens.”
Residents who do not want to sign up for a brown wheeled bin can still take advantage of garden waste
collections using the council’s brown compostable sacks. These have a capacity of 75-litres and cost £1
each, they can be purchased from the council’s offices or local libraries. Residents will be told their
collection day for these upon purchase.
– ENDS –
Further information: 1. More from Cllr Michael Firmager, deputy executive member for environment and leisure, on michael.firmager@wokingham.gov.uk 2. More on garden waste collections, visit www.wokingham.gov.uk (search ‘garden waste’) 3. More on re3grow compost, via https://re3.fccenvironment.co.uk/re3-foil/re3grow-compost/
